Effect of yoga training and detraining on respiratory muscle strength in pre-pubertal children: A randomized trial

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate the effect of yoga on forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in Ist second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), FEVI/FVC ratio, and pulmonary pressures [maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) at the end of 3 months yoga training and the detraining effect on the above parameters in 7-9-years-old school going children.Materials and Methods:A total of 100 participants were recruited from a school in Bangalore. After baseline assessments, the participants were randomly allocated to either yoga or physical activity group. Intervention was given for 3 months, and measures of pulmonary function and pulmonary pressures were determined immediately post-intervention and at 3-months follow-up.Results:Although significant increase was observed in FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FEV1/FVC, MIP, and MEP at post-intervention, there were no significant differences between the two study groups after adjusting for height and age post training . However, MIP increased significantly in both the groups post-intervention, but the yoga group performed significantly higher than the PE group. The effects of training did not fade off even after 3 months of detraining. In fact, the FVC and FEV1 continued to increase significantly. A trend of decrease was observed in PEFR, MIP, and MEP. However, the values did not regress to the baseline value.Conclusions:This study suggests that practice of yoga for a short duration (3 months) of time can significantly improve respiratory muscle strength in pediatric population.

Yoga in school settings: a research review

“…37 Objective data collected from school records and academic tests have shown postintervention improvements in student grades 74 and academic performance. 42 Furthermore, physiological and cognitive outcome measures reported in a few studies have found decreased cortisol concentrations 73 and improvements in cognitive planning and execution, 39 micronutrient absorption, flexibility, grip strength, abdominal strength, 70 respiratory muscle strength, 62 heart rate variability, 60 and stress reactivity, as determined by skin conductance responses. 79 This review has focused exclusively on studies assessing student outcomes; however, it is important to note that a handful of studies have evaluated the effects of yoga interventions for classroom teachers.…”

“…A total of 47 publications met the search criteria and were analyzed (Table ). Publications of therapeutic clinical trials conducted in a school setting but not included in the analysis included studies of yoga in students with special educational needs or disabilities and/or emotional, behavioral, and learning difficulties, including attention deficits and autism spectrum disorders, visual impairment, asthma, poor coordination, and mental retardation .…”

Effects of a Yoga Program on Health, Behaviour and Learning Ability in School Children: A Single Arm Observational Study

“…Only those students were selected that satisfied the selection criteria. Outcome measures: a) Student checklist filled by both teachers and their parents [27].…”

Yoga Practice Increases Minimum Muscular Fitness in Children with Visual Impairment

“… 20 It has received much attention from the scientific communities over the last 20 years due to its effectiveness in enhancing muscular strength, endurance, body flexibility, 21 generating balanced energy, vitality, 22 and cultivating calmness in the mind. 23 Also, Yoga has been observed to have good benefits on health related fitness in sighted school children’s muscles strength, 24 - 26 endurance, 24 , 25 flexibilty, 24 and cardiovascualr endurance. 24 Its positive effects in children with visual impairment are also well-documented, including autonomic arousal, 27 balance, 28 and proprioception.…”